The USA heads from the frying pan into the fire. After losses at England (2-0) and Spain (1-0), the USA returns home to face Argentina Sunday at Giants Stadium (TV: ESPN Classic, Galavision, live, 7:30 pm ET). The Argentines are ranked No. 1 in the latest FIFA rankings and are coming off a 4-1 victory over Mexico on Wednesday night in San Diego.
Ives Galarcep writes that Argentina is the most potent the three teams the Americans will have faced in the last two weeks — even if it will be without Juan Riquelme and Carlos Tevez. The U.S. defense did well to shut down England’s Wayne Rooney and Spain’s Fernando Torres, but Argentina offers another dimension with the mercurial tandem of Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero.
Outside backs Steve Cherundolo and Heath Pearce should be tested by Messi and Aguero. One factor working against the Argentine attack is that a grass surface has been installed for the game and it should slow down the quick-passing Argentines.